Hosts of a pro-independence radio show and some 30 grassroots supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) brought a petition with approximately 62,000 signatures to DPP headquarters yesterday in a bid to prevent the party from electing 11 DPP members as its legislative nominees, because the members have openly criticized the party.
Host Chang Tien-chun (章天軍) and a co-host known as "A-sheng" (阿生) told DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun that they understood the party cannot prevent the members from running in its legislative primary.
However, they urged the party to execute a primary poll excluding all independent voters and "light blue" supporters, because they said it would block the 11 members from winning the primary by removing a base of their support.
They added that "deep-green" supporters would not vote for the 11 members if they became legislative candidates in the year-end legislative election.
The campaign, called "Surgical Blade Action," was started last December by the radio show Taiwanese Club, aired on many national frequencies.
It was aimed at members of the DPP's former New Tide faction, including former legislators Tuan Yi-kang (
All are known for outspokenness and criticism of their party's actions and rhetoric.
Former legislators Lo Wen-chia (
In response to the group's request, Yu said that the party would take their views seriously, but did not say whether the party intended to act as the group requested.
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